Fluid conductor



' Oct. 19 30. A; A. HAMMEIIR I FLUID CONDUCTOR Filed Aug. '26. "1929' Inben/ior; W. Hagmuner I I ilvlllli Ill] Patented Oct. 7, 1930 i a 1 A IiVjA A. HAMMER, or MUsKoeEEQoKLAnoMn FLUID CONDUCT OR Application filed August 26, 1929. Serial No. 388,416.

a The present invention relates to devices-for lifting, producing and brlnglng liquids, such i I as water, oil and other liquid substances, to

the surface of the earth, from a well or wells or from one receptacle to another.

The invention is based on the principle of an inverted hydrometer, wherein the buoyancy of a liquid is utilized to carry the weight of a syste nof tubing,v giving constant sub mergenceto the intake orifice of any tubular or other material utilized as aconductor of liquidsto a higher altitude from a well or from ajlower container to one of greater altiv a sureswill. be used from the start, as wellas tude.=- 1 l Since in all cases buoyancy-1s equal to the weight that any freely moving body may be carried as a load'equalto a given or desired weight of displaced liquid and conversely'an-y given or desired weight or load wi-ll only displace a volunieof liquid'equal toits own weight and when-th at weight has been displacedthe body willbe at equilibrium whether on or below the surface of the fluid. l

Among the objects of the present invention isthe provision of a device designed toauto 1n atically cause a constant submergence of the intake orifice of a conductor, such as pipe or tubing used for raisingliquid from a lower to a higher position undenthe influence of air or gas pressures; The device is so construct'ed that an inverted hydrometer cell of sufficient size and character is attached to a movable tubing so that the lower end or intalre of the tubing is at a continuously fixed. subinergence relative to thelsurface of the liquid. If the liquid rises the cell and the intake orificete which the cellisattached, a it Referring to the drawings in greatendei rise, and if-" it f'alls'the reverse applies. a Another object is, the provision of means i i to adjustaninverted'hydrometric cellrelaa tive to theintakeorifice of'the liquid conductor in accordance with theknown specific? gravity of the liquid which is to be with-- drawn.'-

One of the-greatestdifiiciiltie's encountered in the present: use of air or gas under pressure for flowing oil or" other liquids from. a ,well,

of the fluid displacedand the buoyinvention shownin elevation therein;

pressors of large capacity capable of developing high pressures, this because of the neces-v sity of placing the bottom of the tubing some distance below the surface of: the liquid, and

utilizing thehigh pressures to start the fluid,

a me-thodknownasTfrocking the well.: i 1 Such procedure] is. unnecessary :With the presentinvention as comparatively low presthroughoutythe life ofthe well, due to the fact that the tubing may be made ofany desired length, and because of the inverted hydrometric cell mentioned above, which may be set at or near the top of the fluid in the well. Pressures may then be used of the degree necessary to produce the desired amount of oil permitting the intake and float to reach a point in the well where a desired back pressure of fluid may bemaintained;

Accordingly, another object'cf the inven- V tionresides in the utilization of low pressures and the avoidanceof high pressuresin the flowing of oil from a well, thus permitting the use of compressors of large capacity. Further objects will appear asthe description proceeds, and reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which i y i a Fig. 1 discloses a section of a well with the Fig.2 is an enlarged section of thewell and tubing showing the intake member oflthe tubing; and a. Fig; 3 is section showing connections be twltien the intake member and the hydrometric Ce 1 i i i l l 7 I 1 tail, 10 representsa well casing 'in" which: is r inserted column of tubing lljo f desired weight, length and characten vwhich tublng will extend to any desired point above the a strong flexible metal less in diameter than i which the cell and lower end of tubing 12- may be connected.

The tubing 11 is preferably polished thoroughly for a distance slightly greater than the length of the tubing 12 to facilitate telescoping of the section 12 therewithin.

At the upper end of the tubing 12 a row of ball bearings 16' are located, these hearings being set in the upper end of the flange 15.

The bearings prevent any possibility of the upper end of tubing 12 becoming caught in the conduit 11, and the flange 15 acts as a support to prevent the tubing 12 from passing out when the cell lowers or when the tubing 11 is pulled from the well due to the fact that an abutment 17 is provided internally of tubing 11 and near the lower end thereof, which acts to engage the flange 15 and prevent further downward or outward movement thereof,

Other ball bearings 18 are located within the lower end of the tubing 11 to facilitate relative movement between the telescoping sections, Mounted exteriorly of the lower end of section 11 are a plurality of spring guides 19 for the purpose of centering the tubing in the well casing.

The framework 14 consists of several arms each attached at one end to the cell 13, and terminating in an annular flange 20 of sufiicient diameter to prevent entry into the lowcr end of tubing 11, and thus effective to prevent fouling of the cell in the event that the liquid level rises in the well.

Any suitable means of attachment, such as set screws 21, may be provided in the arms of the framework, or in the flange, and these screws will serve to connect the framework to the lower end of this section of tubing. 'Ball bearings 22 and 23 may be provided at suitable points on the cell 13 to prevent friction which wouldtend to hold the cell against either an upward or downward movement.

A slight opening, due to the difference in diameters, will be provided between the outside of tubing 12 and the inside of tubing 11 through which some gas or air may pass to act as additional'aeration above the point 16, and assist in raising the fluid. If too much gas passes, however, a packing flange may be placed above the point 18 to control the same.

Asthe present- ClBVlCQ is designed for use in any type of fluid regardless of density, and it isalways desirableto have the intake orifice or lower end of section 12 just a slight depth below the surface of the liquid, means are provided to permit a change of relative position between the intake orifice and the cell.

The arms of the framework 14 are made of any desired length and as stated above are detachably connected to the section of tubing 12. Calibrations 24 are provided on the member 12 corresponding. somewhat to the gravity scale of a conventional hydrometer float. Vith a known density of liquid, it

will be obvious that the hydrometric cell 13 may be adjusted relative to the tubing 12, in accordance with the calibrations theron, thus permitting an adjustment of the intake orifice in relation to the position of the cell in the liquid.

- Although the term hydrometer float or submergence float is used in the description of the supporting means for the orifice of the tubing 12, it should be noted that this supporting means is not a float in the ordinary sense of the word and as generally used. There is a vast and concise distinction between a float, as generally understood, designed to rest on the surface of a liquid and which of necessity must be constructed to carry a definite and: given load for a fluid of one definite specific gravity and a hydrometric cell or submergence float which can be'adjusted to care for fluids of any specific gravity. To illustrate this distinction comparison may bemade bet-ween a piece of cork and a hydrometer.

The hydrometric cell or submergence float 13 may be made of such size and capacity that it will support a given load for a float of an average or desired specific gravity. Any variation above or below this. point may be taken care of by loosening the clamping means or set screw 21 01 raising or lowering the intake orifice or bottom of tubing 12, so that it will be at the desiredpoint below the surface of the liquid, regardless of gravity. With this method it is always possible to calculate the size of the float to carry a given load for a given. specific gravity, and it is therefore unnecessary to construct floats for fluids of different specific gravities. The

arms of the support or framework 14 may be of any length, for example, from ten to one hundred fee thus allowing for alarge range of adjustment depending upon the specific gravity of the float to be lifted. Therefore, the cell 13, depending on desired conditions, may be as muchas from ten to one hundred feet or more below: the surface of the liquid.

The tubing 11 mayvaryas much as from a few feet to four hundred or five hundred feet in length, thus givinga wide adaptability to the position of the intake according to the conditions desired in the operation.

In the case of an ordinary hydrometer the weight consists of a definite amount ofmercury inside and at the bottom of the instrument, with the cell or vacuum chamber occupying the upper part and calibrated to read variations of either specific or Baum gravity. In the present case theweight consists of the tubing and the framework, while the.

. vacuum chamber is represented'by the hyset therdeviceto-take care of ,known gravidrometric cell 13, and the calibrations are on the outside of the tubing 12; Thus. with the weight above the'cell, e-Xactlythe reverse of the principleiof aghydr-ometer is utilized, in that with a hydrometer, you determine the gravity while with the present invention you ties, by setting the cell to correspondwvith the readings of the regular hy-drometer. ac-

. cording to calibrations on tubing 12.

Thecell 13is not a float in one sense, in

' that it does not of necessity float on the surface of the liquid, but rather-maintains a position below the surface whereby to retain the at 1 11 lower the well and the intake orifice :will assume a position below the level 25 of the liquid. Gas

intake orificeat aconstant distance below the surface, in accordance with the particular adjustment between the cell and the tubing12. i,

, Having thus described my invention the operati-on thereof will be readily apparent.

Having determined the proper adj ustment between the. cell'and thetubing the entire tubing ll'with the section 12 andt he float 13 end the-reof'is introduced into or air under pressure is then introduced from the casing headyand will flow as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2, forcing the liquid through the intake orifice of the tubing and up out of the well.

. Underknown operationsin utilizing air or is necessary atirequentintervals to move the tubing up and down, thus necessitating con siderable labor and expense.

. the present device this expense is to a large extent unnecessary as the tubing will only have to be changed at rare intervals, because of the telescoping feature. The submergence float may be utilized either on wells having flush production, or old wells that have reached the pumping stage, and the present cumbersome equipment may, to a largeextent, be dispensed with, and the Oll lifted to the surface either continuously or intermittently by a low pressure air or gas. .Having thus describedmy lnvention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. Thecombination witha fluidconductor having a ported portion for intake of the fluid, of means to position said portion below the fluid level, and calibrated means toassemble saidportion and positioning means,

in accordance with the gravity of the fluid to' be conducted.

2. The combination witha fluid conductor having a ported portion for intake of the fluid, of means to position said portion a prefluid, of a hydrometric gasliiting means in the production of oil, it

the use of determined depth below the fluid level, such position being dependent upon the gravity of the fluid, and means to connect said portion to the positioning means.

3. The combinatlon wlth a fluid conductor having aported portion for intake of the fluid, of means to position said portion a pre-I determined depth below the fluid level, such position beingdependent upon the gravity of fluld, and ad ustable means to connect said portion to the positioning'means;

:4. The combination with a .fluld conductor having a ported portion forintake of the -fluid, of means to position said portion a depth below the fluid level, and, calibrated adjustable means the positioning means,

having .apor'ted portion for intake of the fluid, of hydrometric meansto positionsaid below the portion a predetermined depth fluid level dependent uponthe specific gravity. of thefluid, and means to connect said ortion to the hydrometric means.

said portion being to connect said portion'to 7. The combination with a fluid conductor I having a ported portion for intake of the cell eflective to posi tion said portion a predetermined depth beloo low fluid level in accordance with the gravity of-the fluid, and adjustable meanstoconnect said portion to the hydrometric cell.

8. The combination with a fluid conductor having a ported portion iorintake of the fluid,of a-hydrometriccell eflfective to position said portion a predetermineddepth below fluid level in accordance withthe gravity of the fluid, and adjustable means to con nect said portion to the hydrometric cell, said portion being-calibrated whereby to permit variation of the adjustment in accordance with variations in the gravity of the fluid. j

. 9. The combination with a fluidconductor of a hydrometric cell to position said portion a predetermined depth below the fluid said portion being mounted in telescopingra lation to the body of said. conductor,,and means to connect said portion to the hydrometric cell.. 4

level,

having a portedportion for intakeoi fluid,"

10. The combinationwith a fluidconductor having. a ported portion for intake of fluid,

of a Ihydrometric cell connected to said portion to position the sameja predetermined depth below the fluid ;level,said1portion being mounted in telescoping relation to the body of said conductor, and means to limit telescoping movement between the conductor and said portion.

11. llhe eomb ination with a fluid conductor having a ported portion for intake of fluid, of a hydrometric cell connected to said. portion to position the same a predetermined depth below the fluid level, said portion be ing mounted in telescoping relation to the body of said conductor, and means to limit telescoping movemei it in both directions.

12. Liquid conducting meansfor carrying liquid from a well, comprising a tubing ex tending into the well, and having an intake portion at one end, means to locate said intake portion a predetermined depth below the surface of the liquid, such location being dependent upon the gravity of the. liquid, said intake portion being telescopically mounted. in the tubing thereby to accommodate variae tionsin liquid level.

13. Liquid conducting means for carrying liquid from a well, comprising a tubing extending into the well, and having an intake portion at one end, means to locate said intake portion a predetermined depth below the surface of the liquid, said intake portion being telescopicallymounted in the tubing thereby to, accommodate variations in liquid level, and means to. limit the outward movement between the tubing and said portion.

14 Liquid conducting means for carrying liquid from a well, comprising a tubing ex? tending into, the well, and having an intake portion atone end, means to locate said intake portion a predetermined depth below the surface of the liquid, said intake portion being telescopically mounted in the tubing thereby to accommodate variations in liquid level, means to limit the outward movement between the tubin and. said )ortion and means to facilitate movement between said portion and said tubing.

15. Liquid conducting means for carrying liquid from a well, comprising a tubing e3;- tending into the well, and having an intake portion at one end, calibrated. hydrometric means to position said portion below the surface of the liquid and in accordance with the gravity of the liquid, said intake portion being telescopically mounted in the tubing thereby to accommodate]variations in liquid level, said hydrometric. means being provided with means to prevent. fouling thereof in the well.

16. Liquid conducting means for. carrying liquid from a well, comprising a tubing ex tending into the well, and having an intake portion at one end calibrated hydro f means to position said portion belo surface of the liquid and inaccordanee with the gravity of the liquid, said intake portion being telescopically mounted in the tub.- ing thereby to accommodate variations in liquid level, said hydrometric means being provided with i means to prevent fouling thereof in the. Well, said non-fouling means comprising anti-friction bearings externally of the hydrometric means anda flange at one end thereof to limit telescopic movement relative to the tubing.

l7. In a system for removing fluid from a well utilizing a conductor from the well and gas pressure to force the contents of the well. through said conductor, the combination with an inverted hydrometer comprising/a hydrometric cell, a framework thereabove and an open calibrated tube supported by said framework and providing an intake orifice for said conductor, and means to mount said tube in operative relation to said conductor.

18. In a system for removing fluid from a, well utilizing a conductor from the well, and gas pressure to force the contents of the well through said conductor, the eombination with an inverted hydrometer comprising a liyclronietric cell, a framework thereabove and an open calibrated tube supported by said framework and providing an intake orificcfor said conductor, andineans to telescopically mount said tube in oper ative relation-to said conduetor.'

19, The combinationWvitha fluid con ductor havinga ported portion for intake of fluid, of completely submergible means to position said portion below thelfluid level, and means to connect said portion to the positiouingmeans. 'i l I i 20..The. combination with a fluid conductor having a ported portion forfintake of fluid, of means connected to said portion, and completely submergible to a known deptlrbelow the surface of the fluid, thereby to position said portion below the fluid level. i i

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

ALVA A. HAMMER. 

